Report a crime

If you are the victim of a crime — or if you witness one — it is important to report it to police or the proper authorities. To find out more about who to contact and how, visit the “Get help” section of the Toolkit.

The Ottawa Police Service website also offers useful information on how the police can help — and the steps you need to take to file a police report or make a traffic complaint. The site also provides tips on making the right call — be it 9-1-1, emergency calls, requests for information or calls about theft, property damage, missing persons or stolen vehicles.

Help the authorities help you

It is important to keep a good, clear record of a crime you witness or experience. Record all the details immediately following the incident. Consider all the facts and write down the who, what, when, where, why and how of the crime.

Specifically, when you report a crime or incident, be sure to provide the following information to police or authorities:

Upon his retirement from more than 30 years as a high school teacher, John Reeder immediately began his second career - volunteering in his community. Although he has been involved in many different volunteer roles, John’s passion for community safety and crime prevention shone through with one initiative in particular.

In June 2007, John was accepted as a volunteer at the Ottawa Police Somerset Community Police Centre (CPC). Since then, he has volunteered at the centre once a week for four hours at a time, greeting people who come to the centre to learn about crime prevention initiatives or make police-related inquires. John immediately showed great interest in the philosophy of community policing and wanted to help Somerset CPC reach out to the community to promote education and engagement on crime prevention and safety issues.